Practice Smart - 7 keys to Effective Practicing 大腦想告訴你的七個練習好習慣

“Practice does not make perfect, only perfect practice makes perfect.”

~Vince Lombardi

Are you a musician who practices frequently, but never seem to make the progress you want? You're not alone. In fact, one study found that 88% of musicians wish they could practice more effectively. So what's the key to practicing more effectively? According to psychology and neuroscience, there are 7 keys. Keep reading to find out what they are!

樂器練習一定是冗長而沉悶嗎？練習一整天還是沒有半點進步？怎樣才能提高練習的質量和成效？

一起看看腦科學和心理學教給我們的七個高效練習要點：

1. Stay focused 保持集中力

A focused mind significant boosts the efficiency of practicing. However, according to neuroscience, the average attention span of an adult is only less than 30 minutes, and it is even shorter for kids. So next time when you find yourself struggling to get through a long practice session, try dividing it into two shorter ones instead or taking short breaks.

人的集中力只有少於30分鐘，不妨在練習途中加插休息時間，或是把練習時間分為早晚兩個時段，這樣效果更顯著！

2. Establish a practicing ritual 儀式感的練習

The perfect way to get in the mood for practicing is with some rituals! You could brew yourself some tea or do 10 minutes worth on full body stretches. Setting up these little practices has made it much easier because they put you in this great frame of mind where everything seems possible, which helps make success all that more likely.

練習也要有儀式感！找到屬於你的練習儀式：練習前泡一杯好喝的熱茶，或是跟著Youtube做一個10分鐘的全身拉筋，不但讓你心情變好，練習的專注度和成效也會大大提高。

3. Be organized 規劃你的練習

The first step in practicing well with any instrument should always be organization - plan out what to do in your practice in your calendar weekly- for example, be able to play the first two pages fluently by week 2; Next, break down goals into smaller steps so they're more achievable. Every time you look at your calendar, you know you are getting closer to your goal!

在筆記本上訂立你的練習計劃，例如：第一個禮拜內要把樂譜練熟，第三個禮拜前要背好樂曲的前半部分，這樣令你對自己的目標更清晰，也更有動力推動自己進步

4. Set a specific goal for every practicing session 每次練習都設立明確目標

When you practice, set achievable goals for every session so that the next time will feel more obtainable. Feel accomplished every time you achieve your goal and be motivated to continue on with practicing!

把一個艱巨的任務分為很多個細小步驟，每次練習都給自己一個明確的目標。例如：聆聽並帶出低音線條，左手16分音符達到平均等，一步一步增加樂曲的完成度。

5. Short-unit repetition 小範圍重覆

The brain learns best when information is presented in small chunks. When you are learning a new skill, your brain cells make new connections and through persistent repetitions, you brain will develop a strong and fast connection that allows you to play the music fluently and accurately.

The next time you find yourself in a difficult spot with your music, try practicing and strengthening that short passage through repetition!

大腦擅長處理簡短的信息，因此，小範圍的重覆練習讓大腦充分重溫並鞏固新學的動作，對於練習新的樂曲有事半功倍的作用。遇到困難的樂句時，也可以用這個方法讓大腦反覆處理和熟習困難動作

6. Practice accurately 準確的練習

Now we know that our brain learns through repetitions. But when you're practicing something inaccurately, say with a wrong note- your brain will remember and strengthen the bad action too!

You should therefore slow down while playing so as to allow more time for accuracy in musical details.

大腦是個好東西，但如果練習中途出現了錯音或是用了錯的指法，大腦也會把這些錯誤記錄下來並反覆溫習，日後改正起來便非常困難。因此，練習時一定要做到準確無誤並且兼顧音樂細節，放慢一點也沒關係！

7. Have fun! 保持練習熱度

See practicing as if you are clearing stages in a video game. After a long practice day, don’t forget to reward yourself - with a cup of delicious ice cream or go watch your favorite show. You deserve it!

練習跟玩遊戲一樣，過五關斬六將，過程辛苦但完成後都會帶給你滿滿的成功感！在一次好的練習後，記得給自己一點小獎勵，You deserve it:)

Follow these tips and you'll be on your way to becoming a better musician in no time. Happy practicing!

祝你練習愉快！